CHAPTER 7—CLIMATE AND BIODIVERSITY
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The primary influence on variation in climate is
a.
slope angle
b.
elevation and slope angle
c.
temperature and slope angle
d.
average annual precipitation and temperature
e.
humidity and elevation
2. Which terrestrial ecosystem has been disturbed by human activity more than any other?
a.
Desert
b.
tropical rainforest
c.
temperate deciduous forest
d.
coniferous forest
e.
shortgrass prairie
3. Temperate forests typically have
a.
warm summers, warm winters and abundant precipitation
b.
warm summers, cold winters and abundant precipitation
c.
cool summers, rainy winters
d.
cool summers, cold winters, low precipitation
e.
warm summers, cold winters, low precipitation
4. Climate
a.
describes weather conditions over long periods of time.
b.
describes weather conditions over short periods of time.
c.
describes average patterns of weather.
d.
both describes weather conditions over long periods of time, and describes average
patterns of weather
e.
both describes weather conditions over short periods of time, and describes average
patterns of weather
5. All of the following affect the climate of the earth except:
a.
solar radiation
b.
the earth’s rotation
c.
the earth’s gravity
d.
gases in the atmosphere
e.
the earth’s surface features
6. Weather is a combination of
a.
temperature and precipitation
b.
atmospheric conditions over years
c.
wind speed and precipitation over decades
d.
temperature, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover and other factors over hours or days
e.
temperature, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover and other factors over at least decades
7. Vertical ocean currents are generated by
a.
cold and dense ocean water sinking and warm and less-dense water rising
b.
warm and dense ocean water sinking and cold and less-dense water rising
c.
cold and dense ocean water rising and warm and less-dense water sinking
d.
less dense water rising and cold but dense water sinking
e.
None of these answers are correct because there are no vertical ocean currents.
8. Surface-level ocean currents are caused by
a.
dense ocean water sinking
b.
cool ocean water rising
c.
warm ocean water exchanging with cool ocean water
d.
prevailing winds blowing over the ocean surface
e.
strong winds coming from warm coastal areas and traveling across the ocean surface
9. Heated air masses above the equator move north and south to cooler areas because:
a.
The equator spins faster than the polar regions as Earth rotates.
b.
Cooler areas of air are less dense.
c.
Rotational gravity pulls the air north and south.
d.
The moon exerts a gravitational pull on the air.
e.
The sun exerts a gravitational pull on the air.
10. There are ____ separate belts of moving air, or prevailing winds.
a.
Two
b.
Four
c.
Six
d.
Eight
e.
Ten
11. An explanation for why polar regions are colder than equatorial regions is that:
a.
The sun never reaches these areas because of the tilt of Earth on its axis.
b.
Sunlight strikes the polar regions at an angle and spreads out over a much larger area.
c.
Sunlight is more intense at the poles.
d.
Earth is spinning slower at the poles.
e.
The earth is spinning slower and the precipitation is more intense at the poles.
12. The term greenhouse effect describes
a.
occupational diseases of florists
b.
the trapping of heat energy in the troposphere by certain gaseous molecules
c.
the trapping of heat energy in the stratosphere by nitrogen
d.
efforts by the White House to support environmental legislation
e.
the trapping of heat energy in the troposphere by nitrogen
13. All of the following are greenhouse gases except
a.
carbon dioxide
b.
water vapor
c.
Methane
d.
Nitrogen
e.
nitrous oxide
14. Land and sea breezes occur because
a.
water evaporates from the ocean.
b.
of varying speeds of the earth’s rotation.
c.
of different water temperatures in the ocean.
d.
heat absorption in water is faster than on land.
e.
heat is absorbed and released more slowly by water than by land.
15. The rain shadow effect refers to
a.
more light on the windward side of mountain ranges
b.
more light on the leeward side of mountain ranges
c.
drier conditions on the windward side of mountain ranges
d.
drier conditions on the leeward side of mountain ranges
e.
wetter conditions on the windward side of mountain ranges
16. Microclimates can be produced by
a.
Mountains
b.
bodies of water
c.
Cities
d.
mountains, bodies of water and cities
e.
only mountains and bodies of water
17. A rain shadow is most likely to be produced by a
a.
Forest
b.
Ocean
c.
Lake
d.
sand dune
e.
Mountain
18. Which of the following microclimate effects is incorrectly described?
a.
The leeward sides of high mountains tend to show relatively dry conditions.
b.
Oceans and lakes modify temperature extremes.
c.
Mountains interrupt the flow of prevailing winds.
d.
Cities tend to have lower temperatures and higher wind speeds than the surrounding
countryside.
e.
The windward sides of high mountains tend to show relatively wet conditions.
19. Large terrestrial regions with similar climate, soil, plants, and animals are called
a.
Ecosystems
b.
Communities
c.
Populations
d.
Biomes
e.
Niches
20. The distribution of the desert, grassland, and forest biomes is determined principally by
a.
average annual temperature only
b.
average annual precipitation and temperature
c.
Latitude
d.
Sunlight
e.
Wind
21. Climate and vegetation vary with
a.
latitude only
b.
elevation only
c.
latitude and elevation
d.
latitude and longitude
e.
elevation and longitude
22. Tropical, temperate, and cold are categories that apply to which of the following?
a.
Deserts
b.
Grasslands
c.
Forests
d.
forest and grassland
e.
desserts, forests, and grassland
23. Which of the following is not characteristic of desert plants?
a.
widespread, shallow root systems
b.
deep root systems
c.
large leaves that droop in the bright sunlight
d.
succulent leaves or stems
e.
becoming dormant during dry periods
24. Which of the following terms does not belong with the others?
a.
Taiga
b.
Tundra
c.
boreal forest
d.
evergreen forest
e.
cold forest
25. In tropical rainforests, vegetation layers are structured according to
a.
how deep the rainfall penetrates into the forest
b.
the plant’s needs for sunlight
c.
how well each plant handles predation by herbivores
d.
nutrient availability and uptake by plant roots
e.
tropical rainforests are not layered
26. In the western United States, an area called the Great Basin contains many freestanding mountain
ranges that are separated from each other by high desert. These mountain ranges could be called
a.
taiga reserves
b.
islands of biodiversity
c.
broadleaf deciduous reserves
d.
grazing animal reserves
e.
island reserves
27. In reality, biomes
a.
are not uniform but consist of a mosaic of patches each with somewhat different biological
communities
b.
are not uniform but consist of a mosaic of patches, each with the same biological
communities
c.
are very uniform, but can have normal variations in temperatures from one region to
another
d.
are very uniform in order to resist environmental disruptions
e.
are very diverse in order to resist environmental disruptions to the sameness of all
communities in the biome
28. The loss of permafrost secondary to global warming in parts of Canada, Russia, China, Mongolia, and
Alaska is causing
a.
the release of CO2 from the soil into the atmosphere
b.
the release of CH4 from the soil into the atmosphere
c.
the release of hydrogen gas from the soil into the atmosphere
d.
the release of nitrogen gas from the soil into the atmosphere
e.
the release of CO2 and CH4 from the soil into the atmosphere
29. The fragility of the desert ecosystem is indicated by
a.
the high growth rate of plants
b.
moderate species diversity
c.
abundant groundwater
d.
long recovery time from disturbance
e.
all of these except the high growth rate of plants
30. Succulent plants are most likely to be found in
a.
aquatic habitats
b.
cold ecosystems
c.
high elevations
d.
Deserts
e.
coastal ecosystems
31. Animals in desert biomes may eat plants for their water content as a survival adaptation. Plants, in
turn, may have ____ as a defense against being eaten by animals.
a.
poisonous leaves
b.
camouflaged leaves
c.
a lack of leaves
d.
Spines
e.
both camouflaged leaves and spines
32. A tropical grassland with widely scattered clumps of trees would be called a
a.
Veldt
b.
Steppes
c.
Savanna
d.
Pampas
e.
Taiga
33. Much of this biome has disappeared from Earth because it has been converted to grazing lands for
cattle and croplands.
a.
temperate grassland
b.
temperate forest
c.
tropical grassland
d.
cold grassland
e.
cold desert
34. Many species of hoofed animals can live together in the African tropical savannas because they have
____ eating habits that ____ competition for resources.
a.
specialized, maximize
b.
specialized, minimize
c.
generalized, maximize
d.
generalized, minimize
e.
similar, facilitate
35. Permafrost is characteristic of the ____ biome.
a.
tropical savanna
b.
Arctic tundra
c.
Taiga
d.
thorn woodland
e.
deciduous forest
36. Through your binoculars you observe a pack of wolves stalking a caribou separated from its herd.
Geese take to the air, departing the boggy scene. You are most likely in
a.
Desert
b.
topical grassland
c.
temperate grassland
d.
Arctic tundra
e.
Savanna
37. What is the function of the thick outer coverings of rattlesnakes and insects in desert biomes?
a.
to prevent sunburn
b.
to reduce water loss through evaporation
c.
to prevent drowning during typical desert flash floods
d.
to prevent sunburn and reduce water loss
e.
for protection during competitive action during mating seasons
38. A forest that is known for its year-round uniformly warm temperature is the:
a.
temperate deciduous forest
b.
Taiga
c.
tropical rainforest
d.
boreal forest
e.
subalpine forest
39. At least half of the known species of terrestrial plants and animals are found in:
a.
Temperate and tropical rainforests combined.
b.
Temperate rainforests only.
c.
Tropical rainforests only.
d.
Deciduous forests.
e.
They are evenly distributed amongst the biomes of Earth.
40. Which of the following is not appropriate to use in describing a tropical rain forest?
a.
moist conditions
b.
high nutrient content of soil
c.
Layered
d.
Diversity
e.
Rainfall
41. Oak, hickory, maple, poplar, and beech are typical tree species in the
a.
boreal forest
b.
tropical rainforest
c.
temperate rainforest
d.
temperate deciduous forest
e.
coastal coniferous forest
42. Which of the following does not belong with the others?
a.
Taiga
b.
Savanna
c.
boreal forest
d.
evergreen coniferous forest
e.
coastal coniferous forest
43. Trees of wet tropical rain forests tend to be
a.
succulent plants
b.
broadleaf evergreen plants
c.
broadleaf deciduous plants
d.
coniferous evergreen plants
e.
coniferous deciduous plants
44. Cone-bearing trees are characteristic of the
a.
Taiga
b.
tropical rain forest
c.
temperate deciduous forest
d.
Savanna
e.
Desert
45. Which of the following is least descriptive of coniferous forests?
a.
carpet of needles on forest floor
b.
long, cold, dry winter
c.
short summer
d.
high species diversity
e.
south of the Arctic tundra
46. The majority of the world’s forests are located:
a.
at the equator
b.
in the temperate zones
c.
in mountains
d.
adjacent to deserts
e.
by large bodies of water such as oceans, lakes and bays
47. Mountain biomes
a.
have deep, rich soils
b.
recover quickly from vegetation loss
c.
do not affect climate
d.
have little biodiversity
e.
may act as sanctuaries for animal species driven from lowland areas
48. Humans have affected grasslands by
a.
the introduction of livestock
b.
plowing and conversion to croplands
c.
oil exploration
d.
introduction of livestock and plowing and conversion to croplands
e.
introduction of livestock, oil exploration and plowing and conversion to croplands
49. Humans affect mountain biomes by
a.
plowing and conversion of pristine land to cropland
b.
depletion of groundwater
c.
increased air pollution from urban areas
d.
hydroelectric dams and reservoirs
e.
establishment of tree plantations
50. In your explorations in your new job as a marine biologist, you find a new species of algae floating on
the surface of a coastal zone body of water. You would most likely classify this species as
a.
zooplankton or phytoplankton
b.
Nekton
c.
Benthic
d.
Coral
e.
a fungus
51. Saltwater in the ocean covers
a.
97% of the earth’s surface
b.
98% of the earth’s surface
c.
50% of the earth’s surface
d.
71% of the earth’s surface
e.
97% of the biosphere
52. Saltwater or marine life zones include
a.
Oceans
b.
Estuaries
c.
coral reefs
d.
oceans and estuaries
e.
oceans, estuaries and coral reefs
53. Worldwide, coral reefs provide habitat for about 25% of all marine organisms. However, coral reefs
occupy about _____ of the ocean floor.
a.
25%
b.
10%
c.
15%
d.
5%
e.
0.2%
54. Which of the following is not an economic service provided by marine ecosystems?
a.
source of animal and pet feed
b.
nutrient cycling
c.
provides harbors and transportation routes
d.
provides employment
e.
source of minerals, oil, and natural gas
55. Marine snow refers to
a.
appearance of the water during freezing weather
b.
animal and plant plankton that die and drift downward
c.
white sand beaches
d.
algal blooms
e.
weather over the Arctic that contributes to the ice pack
56. Oceans
a.
have three major life zones
b.
occupy most of the earth’s surface
c.
are thoroughly understood by humans
d.
have three major life zones and are thoroughly understood by humans
e.
have three major life zones and occupy most of the earth’s surface
57. Examples of economic services that oceans provide are
a.
Employment
b.
waste treatment
c.
climate moderation
d.
employment and climate moderation
e.
employment, food and pharmaceuticals
58. The coastal zone has ____ of all marine species and ____ of its surface area.
a.
95%, 5%
b.
90%, 10%
c.
90%, 25%
d.
80%, 25%
e.
80%, 10%
59. Water temperature drops rapidly between the euphotic zone and the abyssal zone of the ocean. This
phenomenon is called the
a.
Thermocline
b.
Thermosphere
c.
temperature flattening
d.
continental shelf decline
e.
Hydrocline
60. Most photosynthesis in the open sea occurs in the
a.
euphotic zone
b.
abyssal zone
c.
bathyal zone
d.
coastal zone
e.
benthic zone
61. The darkest zone of the sea is the
a.
euphotic zone
b.
abyssal zone
c.
bathyal zone
d.
coastal zone
e.
benthic zone
62. The zone of the ocean with a very high net primary productivity (NPP) is the
a.
euphotic zone
b.
abyssal zone
c.
bathyal zone
d.
coastal zone
e.
benthic zone
63. Which of the following trees is characteristic of tropical coastal wetlands?
a.
Cypress
b.
Coconut
c.
Mangrove
d.
Palm
e.
live oak